RX400h

I would probably be okay with that, especially since there are zero emissions entering the garage while moving the 400h slowly. However, this is not something my wife would do. As it is now, I set up one of those plastic ball/string aids, whereas when the ball contacts the windshield, she stops. She parks the RX near the Corvette, so anything I can do to make it easier for he to NOT bump into it is top priority!

← Did your dealer supply you with a DVD to watch? We haven't looked at ours yet, but supposedly, it explains how to use all the NAV features. There is also a tutorial in the Lexus website.

Never mind the mpg, going to Los Angeles and making it back with vehicle intact is impressive enough :P . But seriously, my (or any) RX330 can can easily get 26-27 mpg on the freeway, however, when you get off the freeway the mileage gets back to the low 20's very quickly, I suppose that's when the hybrid earns its keep. And why are we so concerned with the mpg anyway, honestly, are people buying the 400h in order to make a stand on the environment or similar issues, or is it more for the 'gee-whiz' factor. ← My Corvette gets 30 MPG on the highway, but those of us who live in large cities have to contend with commuter traffic every day. And yes, hybrids shine under these conditions. However, there are a few other reasons why hybrids make sense now. 1) $2000 tax credit taken off the top 2) Possible use of ROV lanes 3) 650 lbs-ft of torque to blast by Excursions in a blink of the eye (that alone is worth the extra $5000 in my book) By the way, I average 17 MPG in the Corvette; that lofty highway mileage figure doesn't do me much good most of the time.

Hey, at least I didn't hit the garage door with the hatch! :P I just made sure that I knew if it would, should someone inadvertantly hit the button to open the hatch! I will let everyone know if I have any success with this issue. Thanks!

I used it yesterday and I can say without reservation that it cools very well!

When we arrived to pick up our 400, the salesman told us that all RX400hs sold by this dealersip will include lifetime membership in the "Lexus Bluetooth Concierge" activation and support. For a one-time $90 fee, this service provides live assistance for complete car phone system setup. They provide education, training, handset recommendation and service. We felt that given the extent of the service and the low cost, it would be money well-spent. If you don't have this service, you might want to inquire about it. I'm fairly certain that you can receive calls while driving, since it is essentially hands-free.

DENSO Develops New Components for Hybrids; Used in Rx 400h and Highlander DENSO Corporation has developed four new components for hybrid vehicles: a hybrid control computer; a new battery-monitoring unit; a DC-DC converter, and an electric compressor for air conditioning systems. All are smaller and lighter than conventional components, but meet the increasing needs of the growing number of larger hybrid vehicles. Toyota uses the new Denso elements in its Lexus Rx400h (Harrier in Japan) and Toyota Highlander Hybrid (Kluger in Japan). Hybrid Control Computer. The hybrid control computer, developed jointly with Toyota Motor Corporation, integrates such control functions as hybrid system control, engine control, and battery control into one unit. The hybrid control computer enables a significant size reduction of the control units. Battery-Monitoring Unit. The new battery-monitoring unit takes over the tasks of monitoring the battery’s voltage, current and temperature. The battery-monitoring unit was designed separately from the hybrid control computer, because the battery-monitoring unit needs to be installed close to the main battery DC-DC Converter. DENSO’s newly developed DC-DC converter is approximately 10% smaller than a conventional DC-DC converter, but delivers 20% more output—120 amperes from 100 amperes—allowing it to respond to the power needs of larger vehicles. DENSO adopted a new circuit control technology to reduce energy loss in the DC-DC converter,allowing it to size the unit. To handle the increased output current, DENSO improved the converter’s power elements by changing the mounting method from soldering to welding. Customized integrated circuits reduce the area of the converter’s circuit board by approximately 40%, contributing to the 10% converter size reduction. Electric Compressor. The electric compressor, jointly developed with Toyota Industries Corporation, is the first to incorporate an inverter that drives the built-in motor. This structure reduces the compressor size by approximately 60% compared with a conventional electric compressor and inverter (when they are assumed to provide the same output). DENSO miniaturized the inverter by using simplified circuits and a higher-density mounting with three-dimensional wirings. It is difficult to integrate the conventional compressor and inverter, because the conventional inverter is cooled by the engine’s coolant system. To solve this problem, DENSO developed a new cooling method using air conditioning refrigerant in the compressor, allowing the integration of the electric compressor and the inverter. DENSO’s segment conductor wiring method, developed for alternators in 2000, reduced the size of the built-in motor.

Don't feel too bad, you probably have no basement! We do have a neighbors up the street who park their BMW X5 outside. However, even my 89 Mazda MX6 GT sits in the garage. I grew up not having a garage, so I vowed to do the best I could to keep all my vehicles out of the rain.

I agree. Some traffic lights don't turn green for 5 minutes and typical "slow & go" traffic eats up gas in a non-hybrid vehicle. I start out very slowly when there is no one behind me, but drive with the flow when expected to. I did notice that the manual states that 87 octane is acceptable, but increased performance may be realized if higher octane fuel is used. I appreciate this option, as premium gas costs significantly more than regular.

One day, we left our van's hatch open and hit the button to close the garage door. Before I could reverse the door, the hatch door already had a scratch in it. Lexkid, it looks like your garage is even lower than LexRex's. I need to get my hands on a service manual to investigate further.......

All of the "How-it-works" descriptions stated that the RX400h can go 41 MPH without use of the gas engine. However, the manual states 20 or 21 MPH before the engine kicks in. This is similar to that of the Prius. I'm averaging about 26-28 MPG, judging by my gage. However, since I don't what what the milage was when the dealership filled the tank, I can't be certain until I top it off and run it down somewhat. I would expect that the engine will loosen up a bit, allowing the milage to increase.

Has anyone modified your rear hatch travel so that the hatch door doesn't extend so high in the air? If I let it go all the way up, it'll smack my garage door. It looks like Lexus let this issue slip through the cracks. To those of you who have not tried it yet, be forewarned! I don't want to hear about anyone scratching or dinging their RX doors.

Nice writup, QT. We are really enjoying ours as well. LexKid, you'll be joining us before you know it. In the meantime, enjoy your other toys!

We noticed this as well. It takes a little bit getting used to - regulating the speed at which you depress the pedal, but after driving the RX for a while, I hardly notice it. I get a big kick out of cruising parking lots and seeing people stare at us, not believing their eyes and ears as the silent SUV slips by them!

The saleman at our dealership told us that Lexus shipped a larger-than-normal number of RX400hs in the first round of shipments. Even thoughthis dealership is relatively small compared to other Lexus dealerships, it received 11 or 12 RX400hs at once. However, they expect an average of 3-4 RX400hs at a time in future monthly shipments. Many people placed their names in more than one dealership - hence, the occasional "floating" RX400h. By the way, our gas gage is still pegged on FULL and I drove the RX back and forth to work today. This thing is getting GREAT milage!

We have a 1994 Nissan Quest, so the choice was easy. However, if I had an RX as new as yours, I'd think about waiting awhile. Remember, there will ALWAYS be a newer and better vehicle shortly after you buy one - kinda like buying the latest and fastest computer. How long does that status last?

The 400h's city milage is 80% better than that of the 330. That's certainly more than just "a little better MPG".

If the manual tells you to wait any length of time beyond 5 minutes, then I'd say you have overfilled and need to drain 1/2-1 quart. One inch over the "FULL" mark is generally not good for gasket heath.

Check the manual again to see what the exact amount is. How long did you let it drain? You should allow at least 10 minutes, even when the oil is hot (preferred). Did the manual mention any time interval before checking the level?

For the amount we financed, I was able to get 3.49% during our credit union's grand opening. The normal rate is 4.75%.

What does your manual say as to how long you should wait before checking? For most vehicles, waiting at least 5 minutes before checking is recommended. Also, did you put in the recommended amount of oil?

You're so close, I'll bet you can smell that leather already! We picked ours up this morning/afternoon and I drove it home. Here are my impressions thus far: Power: Although our salesman told us that there is no need to "break-in" the drivetrain, I always, as a rule of thumb, take it easy for the first few hundreds of miles. I still need to check the manual, but for the time being, I won't "floor it" to see how that 650 lbs-ft of torque feels. Still, I can tell that there is plenty of power on tap at any speed. Post note: the manual states that you should a) Avoid full throttle acceleration when stsrting and driving. B) Avoid racing the hybrid system. c) Try to avoid hard stops during the first 300kn/200 miles. d) Do not tow a trailer during the first 800km/500 miles. The engine is not quite as silky smooth as Nissan's V6, like the one we have in the Quest. Then again, I have yet to drive a non-rotary engine vehicle that is. The kilowatt gage that replaces the tach is similar to a boost gage - it shows you how much electrical power is being sent to assist the gasoline engine. Not experiencing any transmission shifting is a bit weird-feeling at first, but you get used to it quickly. Fuel economy: The gas tank was full when we left the dealership and although we have traveled 50 miles or so, the gage hasn't budged one iota. I can already tell you the key to great gas milage for this vehicle - use the electric motor power whever you can. The gas pedal travel is very long and the initial inch or so is almost always all eelectric power as long as the pedal is pushed slowly. You can tell, subtle as it is, when the engine wakes up. Road noise Subdued, although not quite as much as subdued as in a Mercedes or BMW sedan, but fairly similar to our Quest GXE van. You can barely hear wind noise, but road noise is there, maybe because the tires are so new. Interior Very nice - the intensity knobs for the heated seats are in the front/center console and are easy to see. The NAV is utterly fantastic. I can see why SW likes his so much. It's like having a laptop with GPS in your dash. The stereo sounds very good, but I have not adjusted anything yet, so it is possible that I can make it sound even better. By the way, I like those blue LED lights in the center armreast cup holder compartment - very cool! Our saleman told us that there is NO laser cruise with the RX400h, however. Our interior color is gray and I can already tell that the carpets will show dirt very quickly. I may have to buy some brown carpet mats; they hide dirt very well. Our salesman told us when we arrived that the bluetooth service (lifetime support for ensuring cell phone compatibility with the RX's bluetooth integration) was added to the price and for $90 (one time fee), I decided to get it. Eventually, I suppose, we will have bluetooth-equipped cell phones. Exterior: I can never stop looking at that Bamboo pearl in the sun - very unique - glows with a radiant luminesence. Looking at the RX400h from the rear is a treat; the suspension components stand out and look great. There was one thing that was a bit troublesome, though. The rear tailgate would hit my segmented garage door if I extended the tailgate all the way up. My question is: Can the tailgate travel be limited. I need only an inch or so. Mmmmmmm. All-in-all, we are very happy with this vehicle. Pics: http://www.conceptualpolymer.com/images/Da...intLexus101.jpg http://www.conceptualpolymer.com/images/RX400hs01.jpg

621 page manual? Wow, that's the size of a full service manual! Congratulations. I'm next in line (This morning). Now let's see about that break-in procedure.......

I would not use just any soap, as it may harm the leather. Try a leather conditioner first before resorting to anything harsher. I would hope that the Armor-All they used is not the same stuff used on the dash - it may not harm leather but is typically hard to remove. If the stuff on the seats now is a leather protectant, then it shouldn't be too difficult to remove with the leather cleaner.

Thanks QT and Monarch! Well, I can compare it to a few other vehicles, but not an RX330, as I do not have one. I was number 15 on the list since last April, so I am doubly surprised at the earliness of the arrival. I'm sure there's a chance that Patt will be receiving hers early as well. :D